Canon Kearon Elected Bishop

The Rev. Canon Kenneth Kearon, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, has been elected as a bishop in the Church of Ireland.

Canon Kearon will become the next Bishop of the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe. He succeeds the Rt. Rev. Trevor Williams, who retired at the end of July.

“I am honoured and delighted to have been elected to the Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe, and I look forward to getting to know the diocese, its people and its clergy well in the near future,” Canon Kearon told ACNS.

“Ireland has been through a very difficult period in its history, and I look forward to helping the diocese play its part and making its contribution to shaping the future.

“This diocese has made a distinctive contribution to the Church of Ireland in the past, in part through the work of its bishops and most recently through Bishop Trevor Williams, and I hope to be able to continue in their footsteps.”

Canon Kearon has served alongside Archbishop Rowan Williams and Archbishop Justin Welby. As the leader of the Anglican Communion Office, the secretariat of the Instruments of Communion, he has supported several Anglican Consultative Council meetings, Primates’ Meetings, and the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

Archbishop Williams, in his capacity as president of the Anglican Consultative Council at the time, had announced Kearon’s appointment in 2004.

The bishop-elect has traveled widely in his role, and is a well-known figure across the Anglican Communion.

“Canon Kearon has expressed his delight at returning to work in Ireland and his intention to serve the people of Limerick and Killaloe and the communities of which they are a part,” said the Most Rev. Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin.

“I have known Canon Kearon for many years and have always appreciated his personal friendship. I wish Kenneth and Jennifer all that is best within the love of God in their time in Limerick and Killaloe.”

Canon Kearon’s election awaits approval by the Church of Ireland’s House of Bishops. He will be ordained and consecrated as a bishop on a date to be determined.